Commotio is one of Oxford's foremost chamber choirs, formed in August 1999 to provide a refreshing alternative to the more readily available repertoire offered by most other choral groups, performing primarily lesser known material of the 20th and 21st centuries. Matthew Berry, the founder and conductor of the choir, enthusiastically promotes the work of a younger generation of composers, as well as bringing to the fore little-known works of more established writers. In short, Commotio offers singers and audiences alike something a little different.
“... here is an intelligent, original and desirable album... most of the short choral works in this collection are likely to appeal to many choirs and their audiences. The interested listener's task is made easier by the quality of the singing. This is a very good choir...
Robert Matthew-Walker, Musical Opinion, March 2006
The choir has … a reputation for the quality of its performances, which invariably combine vocal purity, technical expertise and a deep sense of commitment.
Nicola Lisle, Classical Music, December 2005
Commotio at Merton College Chapel, Oxford - 1st July 2007 © under review
Members of Commotio are selected by audition from students and residents of Oxford and the surrounding area (and sometimes beyond!). We perform to a high standard, as evidenced by the performance of works such as Alfred Schnittke’s mighty Requiem, and the vocal acrobatics mastered in Darius Milhaud’s Les Deux Cités. The choir varies between 20 and 30 in number, depending on the requirements of the repertoire. We are based in central Oxford for the majority of our rehearsals and concerts. Performances usually number four a year, one at the end of each university term with one additional somewhere in between. Often the additional concert takes place outside Oxford, and in April 2005 we made our first visit to the Abbey Church of Dorchester-on-Thames. The choir also performs the New Year’s Eve concert biennially at Douai Abbey near Reading.